Apparently aware that he has lost faith with the Catholic Church in the state following the repealed abortion affecting his image Law and other sundry issues, Governor Rochas Okorocha has begun subterranean means to win his way back to the minds of the people.
Since Okorocha ascended to the “throne” in 2011, cynical remarks and unfavorable reactions have been trailing the activities of the Governor, indicating that the enthusiasm with which the masses welcomed him has waned tremendously.
As the Governor commences surreptitious moves to have another tenure after 2015, Trumpeta gathered that strategic measures have been mapped out by the Governor’s camp to win back the masses support ahead 2015.
Part of the programe, according to top Government House sources is to re-integrate the Catholic Church into the Rescue Mission for a favourable 2015 gubernatorial campaign.
It would be recalled that the activities of the Catholic church especially the influential Archbishop Anthony Obinna who organized a debate that was instrumental to the emergence of Okorocha as Governor after the May 6, 2011 Supplementary Election.
However, developments since Okorocha took over have changed the mindset of not only the Catholics but other Imolites who may have expressed reservation about the inability of the present administration to deliver dividends of democracy.
Signs that a wide gulf has developed between the Catholic Church led by Obinna and the Okorocha government reached a climax during the Abortion Law saga when the Church threatened a showdown with the Rescue Mission government over the obnoxious law which was repealed later by the Imo State House of Assembly after serious resistance and uproar from the masses greeted it.
Apart from shunning several entreaties from Okorocha for a rapprochement during the abortion Law brouhaha, Archbishop Obinna during one of his sermons preached against certain acts of the government that are in contrast to popular desires however praised the approach of the Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi on education and health related matters unlike in Imo State where Okorocha plays to the gallery.
To show indignation and disappointment over the administration of Okorocha, the Archbishop publicly rejected and disassociated self from the controversial N500m fund for empowerment in Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta LGAs youths.
Trumpeta learnt that what may have irked Obinna against Okorocha was the manner he treated a fellow kinsman and impeached Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso in the controversial JPross N458m bribery saga. The discovery of the final destination of the missing N458m that consumed Agbaso at Lebanon, further worsened the frosty relationship between the Archbishop and the Governor.
In view of the role of the Church especially the dominant Catholics who contributed to his electoral victory in 2011, Okorocha is seeking an end to the cold war by throwing juicy carrots towards the side of the renowned cleric for a change of heart.
Part of the fence-mending device is the appointment of Archbishop Obinna’s elder brother, Paddy Obinna as an aide to the Governor. Paddy Obinna a seasoned artist, journalist, and writer is among the list of recent political appointees under Advisory category. The publisher of Strides newspaper and a politician is to be Culture Adviser to Governor Okorocha.
Government House Owerri sources however revealed that the appointment of Obinna’s brother is a tactical ploy to not only cage the Archbishop but also the church, into dropping its hard stance on some of the Governor’s policies and the anti Rescue Mission editorial style of the Catholic owned Leader Newspapers.
Though, “Ndaa Paddy”, as the Archbishop’s elder brother is fondly called, is qualified for any appointment to any office in the state, as far as his pedigree is concerned, but the timing and appointment is a calculated attempt to close the gap between the Governor and the Archbishop.
The source further revealed that the Governor’s camp has been jittery in recent times following tackles it has received from the Catholic Church since Okorocha took over power in 2011, adding that the Imo state government would consider allocating grants and allocation to mission schools and health institutions in the state.
The new measure of granting allocations to missionary establishments, it was gathered, is in line with the approach of Peter Obi, who has won accolades from the Catholic Church for extending government largesse to church outfits in Anambra State .
